Growth of Youth Cricket Initiatives - by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Ana Bailão

The Toronto Mayor's Trophy Cricket is an international award winning community celebration of diversity through cricket. Additionally, the Toronto Mayor's Youth Cricket team has proudly represented Toronto in England, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago through the CAP program since 2008. Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - Parks, Forestry and Recreation initiatives received international recognition when Parks, Forestry and Recreation - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants won International Cricket Council awards for youth engagement. These initiatives have paved the way for young Torontonians to showcase their skills in a sport that they are passionate about and to be recognized by the Mayor through the annual Mayor's School Cricket Awards. In addition to providing equitable access to a locally responsive sport the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - Parks, Forestry and Recreation partnership provided young Torontonians with a sense of hope, increased self esteem, motivation and desire to succeed and become positive role models. Following Parks, Forestry and Recreation's leadership the neighbouring Municipalities engaged regional school boards and the school cricket program has expanded to a province wide school cricket program. Despite the COVID-19 challenges over the last two years, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants has worked with school boards to establish a proper organization structure to the community led program through the establishment of the Ontario Schools Cricket Association. Ontario Schools Cricket Association has introduced program delivery adaptations, training and equipment to support Toronto schools to meet the unprecedented challenges over the last two years. Ontario Schools Cricket Association along with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants are currently working with Parks, Forestry and Recreation to recover and rebuild the much-needed youth cricket programs, fostering healthy active living among young people in Toronto. This Motion is urgent and time sensitive as the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Ontario Schools Cricket Association would like to have the City of Toronto's recognition to assist in with their 2022 Summer Season Enrollment Program.

3. City Council congratulate the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division, for its leadership in the promotion and development of cricket, the fastest growing sport in the City of Toronto through community partnerships.